Deputy Prime Minister and National Federation Party (NFP) leader Professor Biman Prasad has maintained his party’s support of the Coalition Government, saying they were focused on delivering for the people “despite the mountains of problems left by the previous government”.
His comments come in the wake of a statement issued by Unity Fiji party leader Savenaca Narube, that his party was greatly concerned by the never-ending crisis in the Coalition Government.
“The honeymoon was not even over after December 2023 before the cracks started to appear,” Mr Narube said.
“The naivety of the decision of the Fukushima nuclear waste disposal was followed very closely by the blotched Cabinet reshuffle. When we thought that the Government would find a new operating balance, came the sacking of Mr (Aseri)Radrodro as the Minister for Education which is still swirling.”
He said the party was concerned the Government was distracted rather than solving these strings of events which “seem to threaten its survival”.
Mr Narube said there were many important things the Government must accomplish, which they had not done as they expended too much energy in “firefighting” rather than dealing with the huge challenges the nation faced.
“Unity Fiji echoes the question many people are asking – where are we going as a nation? Each crisis that the Coalition faces deepens our concern about whether it will ever find time to help the poor, reverse the widening disparity in incomes, fight corruption, and moderate the cost of living.
“The families are suffering, and yet we see the Government preoccupied with fighting for its survival. We, therefore, urge the Coalition partners to put the interest of the people first and foremost.
“For too long, we have watched our politicians put their interests ahead of the people’s. This must stop.”
He said if the Coalition partners could not rise above the same old self-serving attitude of politicians, voters must show them that this would not be tolerated anymore.
In response, Prof Prasad said Mr Narube did not seem to understand how coalition governments worked because he did not have that political experience yet.
“In a Coalition Government, we are bound to have issues, but as demonstrated recently, the three parties in the Coalition are focused on delivering for the people of Fiji,” Prof Prasad said.
He said the Government had brought changes by removing draconian media laws, convening the National Economic Summit, appointing the Fiscal Review Committee, and bringing freedom, confidence and trust in government.
He said the 2023/2024 Budget had laid a solid foundation to address Fiji’s fiscal position, tax reforms et cetera through consultations and dialogue.
“Additionally, we’re addressing other challenges, such as shortage of skills, addressing the issues of drugs et cetera,” he said.
Prof Prasad said over $200million was allocated across different ministries for the maintenance of infrastructure, and the next budget would build on this and further address the improvement of basics such as water, drainage, and infrastructure.
“I invite Mr Narube to delve deeper into the budget, delve deeper into what the Coalition Government has done in 12 to 13 months and then he will find what the Government has done.
“The honourable Prime Minister’s leadership and the Coalition Government’s approach to improving our democracy through dialogue and consultation has put Fiji back on a path to genuine democracy.
“Mr Narube should understand there are several challenges, including international factors, that have an impact on our economy including prices of some of the commodities and the Government also has to deal with it.”
Questions sent to Deputy Prime Ministers Manoa Kamikamica and Viliame Gavoka remained unanswered.
